Even Grass and a Fountain Can Go Bad
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
A fence surrounds the fountain in this privately built median just west of the 110.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — In our recent discussion of the new median at 9th and Main, several commenters suggested that the city should have stuck with a simple design of fountain and grass rather than the colorful, but controversial, one installed. In the lengthy and ongoing talk about Pershing Square, a few voices mentioned that private developers should build their own green spaces.
Across the 110 in City West is an example of privately developed green space that seems worthy of being brought into the discussion. At the fork of 3rd and Miramar, developer Geoff Palmer built a grassy, fountained median outside his project, the Visconti.
While I don't have the project's documents accessible, it's safe to assume that this little bit of green was mandated by the city, much as similar spaces are mandated in any new development. When green space is left to developers, though, the results aren't always what one might expect.
On the surface, the space appears to square up perfectly with the checklist of what Downtown residents want in a small park. It's got grass, a fountain, some palm trees, and even a bench.
But when one looks a closer, the space isn't designed for use. The fountain is blocked off by a metal fence, leaving the available space in the grassy median roughly halved. The only bench is on the north edge of the site, separated by the fountain and fence from the grassy southern side.
The result is that what could have been a perfectly interesting green space next to a 300-unit development instead becomes just something to look at as cars head west on 3rd.
Now certainly there are plenty of developers more in tune with making space that's useful to the community, but this little park reminds us that even grass and a fountain can be done poorly.
Visitor on June 23, 2008, at 08:49PM – #1
At least that fountain is working. Although, let's hope so, since it is rather new.
By contrast, the fountain right in front of the former New Otani Hotel, situated at the southeast corner of First and Los Angeles Streets and next to the Starbucks, hasn't operated for years. What's that all about?
And during a prime hour of the day today I strolled by the 8 fountains that sit on either side of the Water and Power building, and, no surprise, they weren't working either. Although in that case, it's a matter of their timer switch being adjusted to "why bother?! who cares?!"
Los Angeles: hasta manana, hasta manana.
Desert Bruin on June 23, 2008, at 09:02PM – #2
Would the developer want to put in turf for soccer play? Go take a look at LaFayette or MacArthur Park to see where that goes. A kid chases a soccer ball or basket ball out onto the street and gets run over. Who gets sued? Who pays the medical or funeral costs?
Instead of the water-consuming, high-maintenance lawn, there might have been something more interesting to look at, something that would require substantially less H2O and attract bees and birds and all of the old ladies would ooou and aaah.
Richard on June 23, 2008, at 10:15PM – #3
Would the developer want to put in turf for soccer play?
Where did that come from? I feel that the fountain should have been left open for public use. Just because there is green grass on the westside of the 110, doesn't mean it will be used for soccer!
It does look better than that thing on 9th!
Desert Bruin on June 23, 2008, at 10:34PM – #4
Karin Liljegren on June 24, 2008, at 06:13AM – #5
So not only does Palmer have gated communities but he has a gated fountain. C'mon, Palmer, can't you give just an inch to the public even when it's mandated?
Desert Bruin on June 24, 2008, at 06:54AM – #6
Yeah, you're right. One of those plastic play structures or a picnic table or a couple of standard issue benches and have the area open and accessible to all. The only problem is that it all turns to crap.
If he had planted more drought tolerant perennials instead of lawn, the developer wouldn't then have had to mow the grass year round and without grass, why have an activity where people will constantly leave trash, chicken bones and graffitti? If you shoulder the expense of design and construction and maintenance, wouldn't you want to have it look as nice as possible?
But yes, we now have so many people with no recourse but to live on the street and you as a developer must accommodate one or more unfortunates right in front of your investment in housing, affordable or unaffordable as the rentals may be. You as a developer must accommodate, provide for a pile of crap! Watch out, here comes Utah...
nano on June 24, 2008, at 08:14AM – #7
Whenever I think of Visconti, I think of the The Damned.
As a matter of fact, Palmer would do better to name them all Il Duce or Machiavelli and be done with it.
tornadoes28 on June 24, 2008, at 08:56AM – #8
Rather then a wasteful fountain and water sucking grass, a better idea would have been some pathways with several benches surrounded by nice drought resistent vegitation.
Desert Bruin on June 24, 2008, at 11:54AM – #9
Yes, a semi-drought tolerant Eden for the damned. A dessicated Shangrila for the dispossed. But it must have an ADA compliant fountain so that they can strip themselves, force the public to watch while they bathe and wash themselves, amidst the dog turds, the piles of chicken bones and last year's edition of the Downtown News, adrift on the breeze.
Will Campbell on June 24, 2008, at 12:09PM – #10
This fountain makes me laugh. The fence around it is no doubt in place because of liability issues, such as in case Desert Bruin were to fall in and drown, no one could sue Mr. Palmer.
I see soapsuds in this waterwork's future. And often.
Desert Bruin on June 24, 2008, at 01:33PM – #11
Dorothy Day might have.
I'm sure we'll all be unimpressed watching you bathe, Will.
Pasta Man on June 24, 2008, at 01:38PM – #12
Make that Piazza Machiavelli.
Will Campbell on June 25, 2008, at 06:35AM – #13
None moreso than me, oh grating Sand Bear.
whitman lam on June 25, 2008, at 04:39PM – #14
How about a garden of prickly pear cactus. Beautiful desert plant life, with sharp needles that sting any transients thinking about sleeping there. Unless they're already used to the pain of sharp needles piercing the skin.
geoff Palmer on November 14, 2008, at 04:24PM – #15
Guys get real. This fountain was built out of my pocket because I thought it would enhance the area. It was not mandated. Geoff Palmer